Protect Communities from Toxic Coal Ash

Right now communities across the country are exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury when hazardous materials from coal ash disposal sites seep into their drinking water. The result: increased risk of cancer, learning disabilities, birth defects and other illnesses.

The EPA is holding a public comment period on new, federally enforceable standards to protect Americans, but the coal industry is fighting back, trying to put their profits before our health.

What's more, dirty coal's allies in Congress are pressuring the EPA to abandon strong regulation of toxic coal ash. If coal companies get their way, Americans living near one of the over 2,000 coal ash disposal sites across the country will face serious health risks.

It's the EPA's job to protect these vulnerable communities. Send a message today and help us give the EPA the support it needs to stand up to King Coal.

Letter to

Lisa Jackson (EPA Administrator)

Thank you for recognizing the serious problems posed by toxic coal ash left from the burning of coal. Communities across the country are exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury seeping from ash storage sites into our drinking water, rivers and streams. The result -- increased risk of cancer, learning disabilities, birth defects and other illnesses.

If the BP oil disaster and the Tennessee coal ash tragedy taught us anything, it's that we can't just take the polluter's word for it anymore. I urge you to stand up to industry pressure and issue strong, federally enforceable safeguards quickly to protect communities from toxic coal ash. Continuing to ignore scientific and safety concerns comes at a high cost to our families, communities and economy.

Coal ash is hazardous, but less strictly controlled than household garbage. The EPA must adopt enforceable federal safeguards, not suggested guidelines for states, to protect our communities.